Cuomo, Seneca Nation of Indians announce landmark agreement

Press release

Seneca Nation to resume $135
million in annual payments to state, pay total of $408 million in past payments;
local governments will receive past full funding

State will enforce
exclusivity zone - new dispute resolution process to deal amicably with future
disagreements

Gov.
Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an agreement between New York state and the
Seneca Nation of Indians that resolves a multi-year dispute between the state
and the nation.

With
today's agreement, the state of New York recognizes and reconfirms the
exclusivity of Seneca casino operations in the Western New York region, and the
Seneca Nation agrees to resume payments and to make pro-rated repayments for
past amounts that were in dispute.

Under
the agreement, the local governments in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the
Salamanca area will receive their full 25 percent share of local impact
payments, a total of $140 million. Buffalo will receive $15.5 million, Niagara
Falls will receive $89 million, and the Salamanca area will receive $34.5
million. New York state and the Seneca Nation will equally split 75 percent of
$560 million in past payments from Seneca casino operations in Buffalo, Niagara
Falls and Salamanca.

The
total to New York state and local governments from these and other regulatory
payments is $408 million. The Seneca Nation will retain $209 million and resume
its ongoing payments from casino operations to the state totaling about $135
million annually. The governor will support the exclusion of the Western New
York Zone from the bidding for any commercial gaming legislation. The state
will enforce the Western New York exclusivity zone for casino gaming, and a new
dispute resolution process will be put in place to deal amicably with future
disagreements. The Seneca Nation recognizes the right of the existing video
lottery facilities at racetracks in Western New York to continue to operate and
the State Gaming Commission will take steps to enforce exclusivity rules in the
marketing and operation of those facilities.

"This
agreement is a win-win-win: a win for the local governments of Niagara Falls,
Buffalo and Salamanca; a win for the Seneca Nation, whose exclusivity will be
honored; and a win for all New Yorkers with hundreds of millions of dollars
coming to the state now and for the future," Cuomo said. "This
agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter between the Seneca Nation of
Indians and New York state, built on trust and mutual respect. I commend (Seneca
Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr.) and the leadership of the nation for
their hard work in helping reach this landmark agreement."

Snyder
said, "Gov. Cuomo did not start the dispute between the Seneca Nation and
New York state, however, he has worked with the nation to make the compact
'whole' once again. This agreement is in the best interest for all parties
involved, and will ensure our Western New York gaming facilities will continue
our exclusivity, and that local governments in our region benefit from the casino
revenue. We commend the governor for his leadership so that both parties could
come together to reach a fair and reasonable resolution on our
disagreements."

State
Sen. George D. Maziarz said, "Today's agreement has been a long time
coming, and I want to sincerely thank Gov. Cuomo and President Snyder for
sitting down at the table to negotiate a settlement that both sides are happy
with. In the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital and
Niagara Falls City School District were among the helpless victims of this
dispute, hindering development and improvement. Today's agreement paves the way
to end decades of litigation and gets millions of dollars back into the community."

State
Sen. Catharine Young said, "It has been a long and difficult haul, but we have
reached a positive destination. We are ecstatic with the news that the state
and the nation have reached a positive resolution. It solves our local concerns
and makes the City of Salamanca, school district and Cattaraugus County whole,
which is an enormous relief. The casino is an economic driver for our region,
because it employs so many people and draws so many tourists. Gov. Cuomo and
the Seneca Nation, especially President Barry Snyder and the Tribal Council,
are to be commended for their willingness to come together in the spirit of
cooperation. By working together, we will make great strides towards economic
growth and a brighter future."

State
Sen. Tim Kennedy said, "With today's announcement, we ensure the Seneca
Nation of Indians remains an important driver in the economic future of Western
New York, and we make certain the host communities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls
and Salamanca receive their fair share of support. The path of economic
cooperation shared between Western New York and the Seneca Nation stretches
years and years into the past - and will now extend far into the future."

Assemblywoman
Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "I am so happy with the culmination of this
agreement. I support Gov. Cuomo and appreciate his continued leadership in
helping to bring this to a close. This resolution is great for the City of
Buffalo."

Assemblyman
Joseph M. Giglio said, "This negotiated deal is important to the Seneca Nation
of Indians and to the people of the Southern Tier and of Western New York. Not
only will the release of benefits under this agreement greatly impact the City
of Salamanca, the Salamanca City School District and Cattaraugus County, but it
protects and respects the sovereignty and exclusivity rights of the Seneca
Nation for many years to come. This amicable solution is the result of
sensitive negotiation and hard work, and I'm very pleased with the outcome."

Assemblyman
Dennis Gabryszak said, "I am very glad that the state and the Seneca Nation
have reached an agreement. This agreement will maintain the Seneca Nation's
exclusivity to have three casinos in Western New York per the original compact,
and will assure that all funding is distributed to the host communities."

Assemblyman
John Ceretto said, "This agreement between the state and the Seneca Nation is
great news for Western New York and Niagara Falls. My top concern was that
Niagara Falls receive the money that it is rightfully owed. Niagara Falls
desperately needs this infusion of money to improve its economy and create
jobs. This agreement accomplishes that goal, and I am happy to endorse it. The
people of Western New York expect their leaders to get things done, and today
we have delivered results."

Assemblyman
Sean Ryan said, "Today's agreement ensures cooperation going forward,
which will benefit all Western New Yorkers. My thanks to Gov. Cuomo for his
steadfast determination in ensuring a resolution to this dispute, and to the
Seneca Nation for their willingness to pursue progress on this issue."

Paul
Dyster, mayor of Niagara Falls, said, "This agreement is great news for the
City of Niagara Falls and all of Western New York. It will ensure this much-needed
revenue benefits our city and this dispute is finally behind us. We could not
be here today without the leadership of Gov. Cuomo, and I commend him and
President Snyder for their work in reaching this historic agreement."